Central Coast Mariners coach, Lawrie McKinna, and self-confessed 'football tragic', George Negus, agree the showdown between Central Coast and Newcastle Jets next Sunday at Sydney Football Stadium will be the best match of the year.

"All the ingredients are there," McKinna said. "It will be a huge match. The F3 Derby has just got bigger and better as the A-League has gone on and this one will be the biggest and best of the lot.

"I expect Mariners' supporters and Jets' supporters to be out in full, but it will also be a true spectacle for anyone who loves passion and colour in football."

McKinna said it will be hard fought and competitive match as there is nothing to split the teams.

"Newcastle fought every inch of the way (in the Preliminary Final) against Queensland Roar. They've got character, strength and good team spirit – and next week's Grand Final is a game not to be missed!" McKinna said.

For the first time, the Hyundai A-League Grand Final is being played at a neutral venue, rather than the home ground of the first team to qualify, which Negus says is evidence of the game's growing popularity and legitimacy.

"The Grand Final being held in Sydney is almost irrelevant for Central Coast and Newcastle," Negus said. "This will be the best match of the year in the A-League.

"If you're someone who loves good football, or who just likes seeing top level sport live, or if you're looking for somewhere to take the kids next Sunday afternoon, this is a game not to be missed.

"You'd hate to be the idiot hanging around the water cooler on Monday morning having missed it," Negus told the FFA. We're looking forward to hearing Juanita Phillips's view on tactics and John Mangos's perspective on possible line-ups...

The A-League Grand Final between Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets will kick-off at 5.00pm (AEDT) on Sunday 24 February at the Sydney Football Stadium. Gates open at 3.00pm.